How to Prepare for Therapy Sessions as an SLPA
- alykomerch
- Feb 10
- 4 min read
Posted on February 10th, 2025
Being a school-based Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) requires organization, flexibility, and creativity. With back-to-back sessions, documentation, and collaboration with teachers and families, preparing for therapy ahead of time is crucial. Here’s how to set yourself up for successful therapy sessions while ensuring engagement and progress for your students.
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1. Gather Your Materials
To stay organized and minimize stress, set aside 30 minutes to an hour each week to lesson plan for the following week. This gives you time to decide on a game of the week or story of the week, ensuring consistency while allowing flexibility to adapt to your students’ goals.
Before each session, gather all the materials you'll need—whether it’s task cards, worksheets, visuals, or reinforcements. Since school-based SLPAs often have back-to-back sessions with little time to prep in between, having everything ready to go is essential. A small bin or basket can help keep materials organized and accessible so you can transition smoothly between sessions.
2. Adapt for Engagement
Every student is different, so adapting your approach to keep them engaged is key. I typically use a game of the week or story of the week for all of my groups, adjusting the activity based on their speech goals and abilities. This keeps lesson planning manageable while ensuring sessions are fun and interactive.
To encourage participation and positive behavior, I use a star chart system. Students earn stars when they follow the speech room rules, and once they fill up their chart, they get to pick a prize. They also get an extra star when they turn in their speech homework.
Additionally, students are motivated by free play time at the end of the session. If they work hard and follow the rules, they get 3-5 minutes of uninterrupted free play, where they can enjoy the game of the week without any structured tasks. This works across all age groups—whether elementary, middle, or high school.
3. Track Progress
Keeping track of student progress is crucial. During each session, record relevant data in your therapy log. Note the date, the activities you worked on, any language samples, and any important observations. To save time at the end of the day, consider creating a template directly within the therapy log. That way, you can fill in data during the session and quickly clean it up when you have time later.
Tracking data isn’t just about meeting documentation requirements—it helps you identify when a student is struggling or when you need to adjust goals. You’ll also have insights to share during IEP meetings and progress reports.
4. Incorporate Visual & Sensory Supports
Many students, especially those with ADHD or sensory needs, benefit from movement and visual reinforcements. To support them:
Use wobble cushions to help students who need to move in order to focus.
Provide visual supports such as communication boards or visual schedules to help students understand expectations.
Offer fidget tools (not toys).
I intentionally refer to fidgets as “tools” rather than “toys” to reinforce that they serve a purpose in helping students self-regulate. This distinction ensures that students only use them when needed rather than as a distraction. Students recognize that fidget tools are meant to help with focus, not for play, which fosters a greater sense of responsibility.
Additionally, this approach teaches neurotypical peers compassion and understanding, as they see that some students need extra support to participate fully. Instead of viewing fidgets as a fun distraction, they begin to understand that some classmates require additional tools to help them focus and learn effectively.
5. Focus on Self-Care
SLPAs often spend their entire day in back-to-back sessions and dedicate hours to documentation and billing. While we work hard to support our students, it’s just as important to prioritize our own well-being.
Schedule mini breaks: Even if it’s just 5 minutes to stretch or take deep breaths, stepping away from work briefly can help reset your energy.
Stay hydrated and fueled: Keep a water bottle nearby and pack snacks to maintain energy levels throughout the day.
Set boundaries: It’s easy to keep working past your scheduled hours, but try to establish a clear work-life balance.
Lean on your team: Collaboration makes the job easier. Check in with your supervising SLP and colleagues when you need support.
Taking care of yourself helps you take better care of your students. Burnout is common in school-based settings, but prioritizing self-care allows you to sustain a fulfilling and impactful career.
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About the Author
Hi! I’m Kim, and I’ve been a licensed Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA) for nearly a decade. I have a B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology and have worked in elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools, providing services to students in general education classes and special day classes, ranging from mild to moderate and moderate to severe. I created this blog to share my experiences as an SLPA and to help other SLPAs navigate their school-based speech therapy journey.
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